A Cheerful Giver

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7

The visual that comes to mind when thinking of a cheerful giver is a person that “gives” with a smile.  That person could be giving money, time, help, food, or whatever it is but it is done with a big grin.  I’m sure we can all think of times we have given with a cheerful heart and then there are times we do something because we “have” to do it.  Yet, the concept of a cheerful giver must be something of value to consider as it was addressed scripturally.  With that in mind, there are a few avenues I would like to contemplate about a cheerful giver.

The first thought that probably came to mind is the aspect of tithing.  Tithing is our way to give back to the Lord for all that He has blessed us with.  When you write that check do you write it with a big smile on your face or is it a “have” to?  When the plate passes in front of you at church do you put your money in the plate and thank the Lord because He has provided you with so much or do you simply put it in the plate because the Lord “said so”?

Ponder the “time” you have with the Lord for a moment.  The Lord wants to have a relationship with us and that relationship is nourished through prayer, bible study and reading scripture.  The Lord is eagerly waiting for us but are we eagerly “giving” of our time to the Lord?  Do we cheerfully open our bible and pray because we want to spend time with Christ or do we pray and open our bible because He “said so”?

What about all those things the Lord has asked us to do?  The Lord has provided each and every one of us with gifts and talents and He wants us to use them to honor Him.  It is truly a blessing to be given gifts and talents; yet, it requires us to do something.  Do we joyfully use those gifts and talents or do we feel obligated to use them because they were given to us?

I don’t know about you, but I feel convicted!  A cheerful giver is something more than a grin; it is an attitude.  It is truly centering our hearts on Christ and focusing our eyes on Him.  If you continue in 2 Corinthians it states, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work”.  Jesus is not a dictator.  He doesn’t say give me so you won’t have.  He says because you have freely given you will be sufficiently taken care of!

That sufficiency has been prevalent throughout my life.  My parents taught me from the young age that Jesus provides for you all the time.  We were not “wealthy” by any stretch of the imagination.  Despite the “lack” of generous income my parents always tithed first and then paid bills.  We never went hungry and we always had enough.  I have learned the same lesson through giving of my time.  I am always busy doing something and it is easy to get in the mode of not having the time to give to the Lord.  Yet, I have learned when I spend time with Him in word and prayer I have sufficient time to get everything done.  Even with such poignant lessons I sometimes forget to be a cheerful giver.   

We have been given so much and have so many reasons to be cheerful and to cheerfully give.  Share that joy with the Lord in as many ways as you can express that joy!    “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Cheryl 

Bible Passage for the Week

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

It is pretty humbling when you stop and consider all that Christ has done and continues to do for us.  He literally gave up everything so we could have everything.  No, we don't have all the earthly possessions we would like but we have everything we need and we have a place in Heaven!  There is no better gift given to us than what Christ has given. 

Cheryl

Opportunity For You

Sometimes the thought of adding another thing to the schedule seems impossible as the schedule is already full.  Yet, the need to spend time in bible study and in God's word is so important.  Working in ministry, I have had many people share with me that they simply cannot fit another night out or another day out in the schedule.  So even though the desire and need was in their heart to fit it in was burdensome. 

It was from this dynamic that online bible studies started.  God shared with me that if you can do online schooling you can share His word through technology as well.  Over the years the online bible studies that I have done have used differing approaches and topics.  The approach I am currently using is through email and sending out reflections based upon a couple of bible verses.  Each week in your inbox will be thoughts to consider and ponder throughout the week.  The reflections will be based upon James.

If you are one of those people that simply cannot fit another thing into your schedule but are looking to have time to ponder God's word; I would love to include you in the emails.  I just need your email address.  Email me at cheryldurheim@yahoo.com.  Just for your information - I do not share the email addresses with others. 

Cheryl 

Tribulations = Peace?

Taking moments to reflect on trials and tribulations offers peace to the soul.  I know that sounds insane but give me a moment to explain…

A year ago a very tough decision was put before me; a decision that was being based up a great deal of trial, tribulations and suffering.  There was a great deal of agony in making sure I was doing what God wanted me to do and not what I wanted.  There were times I simply wanted to run and be done.  I did not want to deal with the pain that I was living within each and every day.  Other days I wanted to stay and continue doing the work that I was doing; I loved what I did.  Needless to say, I was torn!    

Now that a year has gone by after the decision was made spending time reflecting on all the things that transpired eases the suffering that took place.  I can see where the Lord guided me, carried me, held me, and was my Savior through it all.  I cannot say I enjoyed any piece of what I went through but I can say I grew through the situation.  Romans 5:3 notes we should rejoice in our sufferings because suffering produces endurance.  I gained endurance as God gave me the strength to stand up for what was right and withstand the nasty stuff being thrown at me.  The endurance and strength came through scripture. The Lord would reveal the bible passages I needed to see each and every time I opened the bible.  His Words and His Promises would “jump” off the pages.   

I can honestly say I didn’t rejoice in my sufferings at the time.  However, looking back I can rejoice because I grew closer to the Lord and saw Him working throughout the situation.  I still miss doing the work that I did; yet, I know the decision made was what God had in store for me.  Thankfully, he made that abundantly clear when he revealed Psalm 118:3 the day I resigned – “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free”.  God was gracious to relieve any doubt I had over the decision being made.   

Trials and tribulations will be present until Jesus returns because we are sinful human beings.  Spend time in scripture as the Lord will reveal to you His plans, His promises, and His peace!  Yes, there are thousands and thousands of verses AND God will guide you to the ones you need to see!  Spend some time reflecting on how God was present in the trials and tribulations you have experienced.  There is great peace in seeing Jesus at work in your life!

Cheryl